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14 Cartoons/Anime That Should Be Given Live Action Adaptations (Part 1)

Here are picks 14-8 of the cartoons and anime that deserve live action adaptations!

By Tyler S. CallawayPublished 6 years ago 5 min read
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For a while now I have been putting together a list of some of my favorite cartoons and animes that I thought would make for excellent live action adaptations whether it be on television or in movies.

I have 14 cartoons as well as animes that could work well in live action, but instead of giving you all of them now, I am going to break my picks into two separate articles. It was either this or make you read through a 2,600 word article, so I think you will thank me when this is all over.

The reason the article was so lengthy is because I am not only giving you my picks and explaining why, but I will also be giving my own personal plot ideas for the movies and shows of each pick.

Without further ado, here are picks 14-8 of the cartoons and animes that deserve live action adaptations!

14. The Jetsons

The Jetsons (ABC)

Genre: Sitcom

Medium: Television

Who doesn't know The Jetsons? It may be one of the most iconic cartoons ever made next to the Flinstones and Scooby Doo. Could they make it as a sitcom style TV show?

Possible Plot: I could imagine this show being the next Modern Family. It could be a sitcom style show that lacks a story driven plot, but makes up for it with great comedy and characters.

13. Codename: Kids Next Door

Codename: Kids Next Door (Cartoon Network)

Genre: Comedy

Medium: Movie Franchise

Kids Next Door is a large group of kids who put teams of five around America in order to fight off adult villains that threaten the world. The show followed five kids (Numbers 1,2,3,4, and 5) as they fought against many adult villains.

Possible Plot: Unlike in the show, where a large almost government like force controls multiple teams around the country, I would like for the movie to follow one group of kids as they form the Kids Next Door.

I want this to be almost like a Seth Rogen comedy that is stupid, funny, and makes you fall in love with the characters. Imagine five kids who are hitting puberty and starting a club (Like we all did as children) and their goal is to fight crime. They mess around until they do stumble upon a real crime and then the story starts as these five kids have to not only stop the bad guy, but survive.

12. Ben 10

Ben 10 (Cartoon Network)

Genre: Action / Superhero

Medium: Movie Franchise

In a time when superhero movies are at their peak popularity, it would not be surprising to see some of the cartoon superheroes not affiliated with a comic book start to make their way to the movies.

A property like Ben 10 has a lot of lore that could fill up a movie easily, maybe even allow whatever movie studio gains ownership of the property, to create their own personal superhero universe.

Possible Plot: I think the movie should work out a lot like Ben's origins from the cartoon. His cousin and grandfather stumble across the Ominitrix that allows him to turn into the same aliens he was able to in the beginning of the show. Him using the Omnitrix will attract the warlord Vilgax who wishes to take the Omnitrix to make an army.

11. Gargoyles

Gargoyles (Disney)

Genre: Drama / Action

Medium: Movie Franchise

Gargoyles was one of the darkest shows that Disney has ever produced, but also one of the best. I think a movie would be successful if it stuck to a very dark sci-fi tone.

Possible Plot: It follows supernatural Gargoyles who come alive at night with their leader Goliath, and they fight against other supernatural beings in their city.

10. Dungeons and Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons (CBS)

Genre: Action / Adventure

Medium: TV Series

This show that was based off a popular board game could be a perfect replacement for Game of Thrones on HBO. Something like this is already in the wheel house for HBO and could be incredibly popular for fantasy lovers.

Possible Plot: The show centered around a group of kids who transported to the world of dungeons and dragons through a roller coaster ride. They are each given there own class and powers. They must find their way back to their world, and back to their families while also protecting themselves against the evils of this new and dangerous world. I think a live action show could follow the same premise; possibly without the roller coaster intro.

9. Ed, Edd, and Eddy

Ed, Edd, and Eddy (Cartoon Network)

Genre: Comedy

Medium: TV Series

This was one of my favorite shows as a kid. Following these three dudes around scheming to make money always kept me laughing and entertained.

Possible Plot: I think the show could follow these three around through high school as they continue their same personality traits from the show trying to make it through school as outcasts. I think the ultimate goal for the series would be their attempts to get rich and start a business.

8. Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z

Dragon Ball and Dargon Ball Z (Toei)

Genre: Action / Adventure

Medium: Movie Franchise

Dragon Ball follows the story of Goku as he tries to find the Dragon Balls and take down the Red Ribbon army. Dragon Ball Z follows him as he unlocks his alien Saiyan powers and defeat the most powerful beings in the universe who threaten the Earth.

I know that Dragon Ball Z has already received the live action treatment in Dragon Ball Evolution, but I would like to give them a pass on this and allow them another chance at a more practical and faithful adaptation.

Possible Plot: The first movie would follow Goku as a 12 year old as he goes out on a journey to find the Dragon Balls in order to bring his Grandfather back to life. Along the way he seeks training by his Grandfather's friend Master Roshi; where he meets his friend and traveling partner Krillin.

After being trained, him and Krillin go out on a journey to find the Dragon Balls, and also cross paths with another young girl named Bulma who is searching for the Dragon Balls for her own reasons. The film could be more dramatic than the original Dragon Ball series and show Goku with much more emotion.

In sequels to the first movie, Goku and friends can take on King Piccolo and from movie to movie it can show as Goku takes on the other villains of the Dragon Ball Z world. (Vegeta, Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu) This could be up to six movies and then if successful, maybe even includes the event of Dragon Ball Super.

Oh! Sorry did you want the rest of the list?

If there are some cartoons or animes that I missed, stay tuned for Part 2 of this article where I run through picks 6-1, and trust me #1 is going to surprise you!

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Tyler S. Callaway

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